From Pratt's website:

"Visitors are welcome to tour the campus and Pratt's contemporary sculpture park."

Oh really?

Posted by: jxc187 at September 11, 2009 9:50 PM in response to Pratt: Not In Our Front Yard

barbaralahabara, what do you have against children and their parents? geez, so much vitriol! yes, a college campus is for the students, but it's also very much a part of a community, as all local organizations/businesses/institutions are part of a community. pratt students participate in the community surrounding their college (sometimes in a way that's very offensive to the permanent residents), and community members should also participate in the life of pratt. it is not an island. if pratt has a problem with parents allowing their children to draw with sidewalk chalk, then address it with the community. don't unilaterally close off the campus with zero explanation. don't send threatening letters to community members who deign to list pratt as a beautiful destination for families. i went to grad school at columbia and always appreciated how open the campus was to the community. i never imagined that a college would consider closing their campus to the general public! i am truly outraged by this decision.

Posted by: jxc187 at September 11, 2009 7:13 PM in response to Pratt: Not In Our Front Yard

We're in the process of selling our co-op FSBO, and if I had to do it all over again, I'd hire a broker. It's a completely different market than it was a year ago, and many steps of the purchase process are far more complicated than they used to be. We had a deal that fell through in January because of all of the different requirements that banks now have in place. The banks have been particularly hard on co-ops, mostly because banks don't understand co-ops. Not only is a broker able to bring in well-qualified, motivated buyers (as opposed to people who are "just looking" -- which is A LOT of what we got at our open houses), but they are also much better able to negotiate the ever-changing mortgage market than you are. We basically had to devote our lives to researching new bank requirements, and our deal STILL fell through. With all of that said, we have a new buyer, and I'm crossing my fingers that it goes through, but who really knows these days? If this one falls through, too, I'm running out and hiring a broker stat.

A few recommendations I would make is to require a prospective buyer to have 20% to put down (even if your co-op only requires 10%), to have adequate post-closing liquidity, and to have an EXCELLENT credit rating (720+). And I echo everything else that was said: de-clutter; stage the heck out of your place; make any minor, cosmetic improvements you can; and put together a professional looking website with great photos.

Posted by: jxc187 at May 7, 2009 9:49 PM in response to Broker or FSBO

mopar -- We're really not making any noise that's out of the ordinary. I think, simply, that she is a bit crazy and can't stand hearing any noise coming from anyone else's apartment (except her own, obviously). Otherwise, I can't understand it. We are so quiet, really value quiet, and have never, ever had issues in any other living situation. I practically tiptoe (in socks!) in my own apartment because I know how much she reacts to noise. If I drop something, I cringe, because I know she's about to bang on her ceiling. We've tried everything with this woman, from talking directly to her, to being kind to her when we pass in the halls, to talking to friends of hers (who are much more friendly than she is), and so on. I have no clue why she is so unfriendly -- I suspect she would be this way to anyone who lived above her. It's a shame, because it's made living here highly unpleasant and caused a great deal of anxiety. In fact, we're trying to sell, and, if we do, I think we're going to have to leave the city because I'm so afraid of ending up in the same, uncomfortable situation in another apartment!

Thanks for all the thoughts from everyone. By the way, what are speaker isolation stands? Would they help isolate the sound to just her apartment?

Posted by: jxc187 at April 23, 2009 8:24 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

We don't wear shoes in the house and never have. We've never had a party. We have carpeting and padding over more than 80% of our floors. We never play loud music (or even have the capacity to.) Some have commented that our neighbor is "retaliating," but there is nothing to retaliate for, other than her made-up complaints. Honestly, I think she just doesn't care about being a good neighbor, clearly doesn't care about us, and so does whatever she wants.

Posted by: jxc187 at April 23, 2009 4:58 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

PitBullNYC -- getting back at us for what? Simply living upstairs from her?

Posted by: jxc187 at April 23, 2009 1:22 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

I should add that I think it's important that we all try to figure out a balance between living our own lives/expressing ourselves in the way that we choose and being respectful of those around us since we do live in a city, in very tight quarters. I don't find comments like "put up or move" to be very helpful, nor "she probably doesn't like you because you moved into the building and get all involved in peoples business." Whenever questions about noise come up, I'm always shocked by how many people respond with, "this is the city, get used to it." Sure, we're all used to street noise, sirens, people arguing outside our windows in the middle of the night, etc, etc. But, people need to realize that not everyone likes the same music they like; not everyone wants to hear a toddler running back and forth, back and forth all day long (I write this as the mom of a toddler); not everyone wants to hear top volume arguments every night of the week from their neighbors; not everyone wants to be awakened every Sundy by booming speakers at 8 am from the church/mosque/temple next-door, etc. There needs to be some balance. I respect my neighbor's love of loud music, but I don't think it's right that she's able to play it every night of the week, for hours at a time (even if she is respecting the quiet hours), which means that I can't ever have any peace and quiet in my own home (which is what I like). I'd really appreciate some more measure in people's responses. Thanks.

Posted by: jxc187 at April 23, 2009 1:12 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

streber -- are you my downstairs neighbor??

I try NOT to get involved in people's business unless absolutely necessary (i.e. it's affecting my health and well-being). And I should add that this particular neighbor has been EXTREMELY involved in our business. The day we moved in, she came up asking (at 8 pm) when we would stop making noise. I had no idea about the lack of soundproofing and had no idea we were making ANY noise. From that point on, she came up or left a note about once a week about our perceived "noise." Often, she claimed we were making noise at a time when we were asleep! Every time we drop something on the floor (which is rare), she bangs on her ceiling. So, streber, don't make assumptions about who's involved in whose business. I'm trying not to create waves, but I'm tired of being miserable whenever I'm in my own home.

Posted by: jxc187 at April 23, 2009 12:42 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

In any other economic time, I would agree with you, Ringo and Johnny. However, our last deal fell through because, though there was good faith effort (LOTS of good faith effort) on the buyer's part, she only went with a single lender who scuttled the deal. In the absence of a broker -- and because we have a good relationship with the current buyer -- she's asked our advice on the process. Finally, several broker friends have advised us to ask a buyer to NOT use a single lender, but go to a mortgage broker who has several lender options. I really like the idea of the credit union, but want to be extra certain that she'll have options as a buyer.

Posted by: jxc187 at March 24, 2009 9:51 AM in response to Using multiple mortgage brokers?

Actually, mopar, the Times already wrote an article about it. They didn't interview us, but wrote about many, many of the things that happened to us, about a month after they happened.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/realestate/01loans.html

Then, I think, two weekends ago, there was an article about how buyers aren't able to get PMI either. We've had the unfortunate luck of hitting every change in bank policy just as it was happening.

Posted by: jxc187 at March 13, 2009 11:40 AM in response to Possible to only put 10% down?

mopar -- that's exactly what happened to us with our first buyer. She was pre-approved, the bank closed the loan file, and then she was unable to get PMI. (not to say that there weren't many, many other issues along the way. the bank made crazy demands on our building like increasing fidelity bond coverage, completely changing the building's insurance carrier, etc, etc. After months of drama, the deal collapsed because of PMI.)

Posted by: jxc187 at March 12, 2009 7:17 PM in response to Possible to only put 10% down?

The co-op allows 10%. Another apt in our co-op is for sale and is listed as only requiring 10% down. But, we are really reluctant to go down that road again, as it resulted in losing 4+ months to a buyer who, after a lot of wrangling, couldn't get a mortgage. Just curious if we're losing out on a lot of potential buyers with the 20% requirement.

Posted by: jxc187 at March 10, 2009 8:09 PM in response to Possible to only put 10% down?

Actually, we're selling our co-op, and what we're finding is that banks now follow Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guidelines when issuing mortgages -- and I mean, they follow those guidelines to the letter. In those guidelines, it states that co-ops must have an insurance carrier with an "A" rating or higher, according to a major ratings agency. Our co-op's insurance carrier is rated "A-," so, as things currently stand, our buyer is unable to get a mortgage with, it appears, any major bank. You're right jessenyc: it's now all about reducing risk exposure for the banks. Also, the rules are different for condos or other types of properties. In this case, Fannie Mae only requires an "A-" rating or higher for properties other than co-ops.

Posted by: jxc187 at January 5, 2009 3:26 PM in response to Mortgages for a co-op apt?

mopar- where the heck did you get that from????

Posted by: bxgrl at April 23, 2009 4:07 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

It may be comforting to think that people only get what they deserve, but sometimes people are, in fact, simply at the butt-end of inconsiderate behavior.

After all these years I'm still surprised by how people turn into judgemental a-holes when they have the anonymity of the internets....

Posted by: squaredrive at April 23, 2009 4:40 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

We don't wear shoes in the house and never have. We've never had a party. We have carpeting and padding over more than 80% of our floors. We never play loud music (or even have the capacity to.) Some have commented that our neighbor is "retaliating," but there is nothing to retaliate for, other than her made-up complaints. Honestly, I think she just doesn't care about being a good neighbor, clearly doesn't care about us, and so does whatever she wants.

Posted by: jxc187 at April 23, 2009 4:58 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

jxc187- can only wish you the best of luck. I hope the Board takes your problem seriously.

Posted by: bxgrl at April 23, 2009 5:03 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

Peace and quiet is an expensive commodity in NYC, as are most things.

I find it amusing that there's clearly a deficiency in the way your building has been built:

"I had no idea about the lack of soundproofing and had no idea we were making ANY noise. From that point on, she came up or left a note about once a week about our perceived "noise." Often, she claimed we were making noise at a time when we were asleep! Every time we drop something on the floor (which is rare), she bangs on her ceiling."

...but instead of addressing that, you are trying to change your neighbor.

Yes, soundproofing your place will be expensive, but it's your building that is deficient... (and perhaps your belief that just because you want peace and quiet, everyone does).

Start by gifting your neighbor with some speaker isolation stands, and neoprene rubber blocks...

@squaredrive: you can't find a solution? Soundproofing is a well-understood science.

Posted by: streber at April 23, 2009 5:06 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

"We don't wear shoes in the house and never have. We have carpeting and padding over more than 80% of our floors."

I didn't know that. That should pretty much take care of the issue -- at least as much as it can be taken care of. The only other thing is: Do you have highly discordant hours? Are you awake when she's sleeping and vice versa?

Other than that, I can't imagine what the problem could be. Have you talked to her, tried to find out what she is hearing, maybe by going to her place and replicating the noise in your place? Also, have you told her sometimes she claims you are making noise while you are sleeping?

Posted by: mopar at April 23, 2009 7:37 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

I have written this before, but here goes: "Nuisance" laws: noise being just one of the nuisances.

You have done the correct thing by talking to your neighbor first, because if you just go to the board, they will ask, "did you speak directly to your neighbor and try to solve it that way?" Yes, you have, jxc187, many times, so many times, that the neighbor is becoming upset. And the offending noise still hasn't stopped. Perhaps the posters who suggested moving the speakers are correct and that is all that would be needed, and the neighbor may have no knowledge of this.

By now neighborly feelings may be stressed, so that the board may have to investigate if speaker correction is the mere cause. Anyway, there is no excuse for being loud until 10 PM, because that is the so-called "legal" time. You are entitled by law to peace and quiet all the time. People have to rest to be able to put in a full day of work the next day, to think, to be, and to create.
So now is where the "Nuisance" statutes will help you. Noise is a nuisance, fights, drug sales, etc.. A nuisance comes into your home without the person actually entering through your door. If they come through your actual door, that is trespassing. Go to Google, type in the search box in the middle of the screen:

nuisance abatement

Once you type that in, you will see other choices appear, such as "laws". Take it from there. Your board must do something for you. If the problem cannot be solved in a "soft" manner, then you must get hard on someone, and find out who that responsible someone is in a Coop. BTW, we lived in a pre-war building and never heard any noise at all. It seems your house has a flimsy problem.

Our neighbors play loud music when they do drugs. It seems they like the bass then, and really have no awareness of much of anything.

Posted by: BklynSoFar at April 23, 2009 7:51 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

streber, i could recite you a bunch of stuff about the science of sound and acoustics, but, at the end of the day, I really don't feel that inadequate. Knowledge of the science does not equal solutions that are without major expense or trade-off. If i'm wrong on that, I and others would have a great deal of gratitude for your knowledge, please share.

Posted by: squaredrive at April 23, 2009 8:15 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

mopar -- We're really not making any noise that's out of the ordinary. I think, simply, that she is a bit crazy and can't stand hearing any noise coming from anyone else's apartment (except her own, obviously). Otherwise, I can't understand it. We are so quiet, really value quiet, and have never, ever had issues in any other living situation. I practically tiptoe (in socks!) in my own apartment because I know how much she reacts to noise. If I drop something, I cringe, because I know she's about to bang on her ceiling. We've tried everything with this woman, from talking directly to her, to being kind to her when we pass in the halls, to talking to friends of hers (who are much more friendly than she is), and so on. I have no clue why she is so unfriendly -- I suspect she would be this way to anyone who lived above her. It's a shame, because it's made living here highly unpleasant and caused a great deal of anxiety. In fact, we're trying to sell, and, if we do, I think we're going to have to leave the city because I'm so afraid of ending up in the same, uncomfortable situation in another apartment!

Thanks for all the thoughts from everyone. By the way, what are speaker isolation stands? Would they help isolate the sound to just her apartment?

Posted by: jxc187 at April 23, 2009 8:24 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?

jxc187, your neighbor sounds not very nice. I'm so sorry.

On the slightly positive side, after about a decade of noise problems with neighbors in various buildings, I finally have new neighbors who are very quiet. It's wonderful. And they're young and play music and wear high heels -- go figure.

Posted by: mopar at April 23, 2009 11:15 PM in response to Excessive Noise in a Co-op?